Jake Diebler just picked up the biggest win that Ohio State has had in a long time that’ll have Buckeye Nation thrilled
That’s a major win ahead of the season for the Buckeyes.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have missed the NCAA Tournament for three straight seasons, and there hasn’t been much to celebrate. However, a rare recruiting win — one at a level not seen in Columbus in a very long time — just happened, and Buckeye Nation should be thrilled.
Ohio State, Jake Diebler land elite 5-star recruit who can help change the program
Tuesday morning is a special one for the men’s basketball program, as the Buckeyes have landed one of the very best players in the class of 2026. Five-star small forward Anthony Thompson has committed to Ohio State over the Indiana Hoosiers, giving the Buckeyes the No. 8 player in the class of 2026, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. Thompson is a 6-foot-8 left-handed forward known for his shot-making ability and becomes the highest-rated recruit the Buckeyes have landed since Jared Sullinger in 2010.
Thompson, a Lebanon, Ohio native, currently plays at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio. The five-star prospect held offers from programs such as Kentucky, Michigan, and Texas — but decided Columbus was the place for him. Thompson joins four-star point guard Marcus Johnson and four-star power forward Alex Smith in Ohio State’s 2026 class. The Buckeyes are trending toward assembling an outstanding group, a testament to Diebler and his staff’s efforts to turn things around. Of course, that starts on the trail with the players you bring in.
Landing Thompson could very well mean adding a one-and-done player, but he’s the kind of talent who can elevate the program and take it to new heights. Just a couple of years ago, it was Malaki Branham who became Ohio State’s most recent one-and-done. Now, the Buckeyes are bringing in a player who is even more gifted — and one unlike anything the program has landed in quite some time.
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